Mighty Midge.. One Last Adventure

Fanfare / 28th November, 2024

Dressed in dark grey suit and crew jumper which stayed on all night and with not a stand of hair in sight. Midge kicked off with Marching Men a nod to the era when he was part of new wave band Rich Kids founded by Glen Matlock (ex Sex Pistols)

His voice fluctuated and was muted more if he threw his head back which was part of his act and was noticeably like Rex Harrison in parts: it was very noticeable on Vienna but all was saved by the bridge to the violin. My Dad loved Vienna sadly it never made Number 1 as Joe Dolce’s Shaddup You Face kept Ultravox off top spot in 1981.

Gig started late so he was quick to state not my fault – “hope you don’t miss you bus home” Then off he went, strong with some earlier works with new wave -synth era Sleepwalk and others and then momentum with Reap the Wild Wind which gathered the biggest audience applause so far. Still Stood Still with its metronome beat syncing keyboards and acoustic guitars riffs, still cut it.

Your Name Has Slipped My Mind Again was followed by Lament with a hanging lamp which was finally made to swing at the end ( a nod to the Voice which used this artifice to great effect in earlier shows)  Midge then uttered “If you thought this was a miserable one” wait for this The Maker which did not grab me but in this next trio Fragile a fairly new addition, stood out with a plaintive guitar solo.
Fade to Grey a Visage classic was the stand up moment “ – You cannot sit in your seats all night !” as we were jettisoned to the last 6 or so, finale songs.

Great Adventure the audience enjoyed which was followed by Hymn, where the audience sang a solo chorus.It felt to me he was more closely aware of time and fading away. The mood then changed to uplift with a powerful rendition and tribute to Phil Lynott with the Boys are Back in Town ( Midge was disappointed Thin Lizzy never played at Live Aid) onto One Day and then Dancing With Tears In My Eyes an apocalyptic verse at the time ( cold war and nuclear rumblings in 1984 which is sadly now timely again with wars in Middle East and Ukraine.

Finally the encore an excellent rendition of The Voice with all 4 band members lined up each beating out the rhythm on a small drum
It was a good evening

Backing back was Electric Company who were also the openers for the show
Stand out was cover of Chris Issak’s Wicked Games and their own composition Pomegranate. I also liked Glasshouses

Band were

Coke Stacy lead singer, keyboards & guitar
Russel Field drummer for both bands
Joseph O’Keefe keyboards & guitar

Set List
• Marching Men(Rich Kids song)
• Passing Strangers
• If I WasPlay Video
• Reap the Wild Wind
• May Your Good Lord
• All Stood Still
• Sleepwalk
• Supernatural (Peter Green Splinter Group cover)
• Your Name (Has Slipped My Mind Again)
• Lament
• The Maker
• Breathe
• Fragile
• Vienna
• Fade to Grey (Visage song)
• Love’s Great Adventure
• Hymn
• The Boys Are Back in Town (Thin Lizzy song)
• One Small Day
• Dancing With Tears in My Eyes

Encore:
• The Voice

Ipswich Regent 28th November 2024 Fawkes S&J

Posted by: Fawkes